Smart locks promise keyless entry, but many fail from poor choice or fitting. This smart lock buying guide for Indian homes gives you a checklist you can use with any seller. It starts with the door, because the door decides what fits.
Check the door
Measure the door thickness and note the material: wood, metal or glass. Look at the existing latch, which may be a mortise lock or a rim lock. Check the frame for strength, since a strong lock on a weak frame protects little.
Fire-rated doors should not be drilled without approval, so ask first.
Ways to open the lock
Common options are fingerprint, PIN code, card, key and phone app. Fingerprints are quick for the family. PIN codes suit guests and staff. Apps let you share access from afar.
Pick the methods you will use, not every method on offer. Our Yale smart door locks page shows examples.
Power and backup
Smart locks run on batteries. Good models warn you before the batteries die and offer an emergency power point or a mechanical key. Ask how long the batteries last in a hot climate and how to change them.
Keep a spare key in a safe place away from the door.
Security and records
Look for a lock that logs entries and lets you delete codes. Use strong codes and change the default codes on day one. Update the app when the maker releases a fix, and remove old users when someone leaves the household. For rented flats, expiring codes avoid the cost of changing keys for each tenant.
Fitting, service and links
A lock is only as good as its fitting. Ask who fits it, who services it and how fast they respond. Ask for the answer in writing, and keep the paper with your other home records. Check whether the lock links with your video door phone or home automation system.
Mistakes to avoid
Buyers who follow a smart lock buying guide for Indian homes still slip on these points.
- Choosing a lock before measuring the door
- Buying every feature, then using only the fingerprint
- Forgetting the mechanical key backup
- Drilling a fire-rated door without approval
- Skipping a service plan, so batteries and sensors are ignored
Your next step
Send us photos of the door and frame. We will tell you which locks fit, fit one for you and show your family how to use it. Essatech designs, supplies, installs and services these systems in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. Send us your drawings or photos for a priced plan.
What affects the price
- Lock model and features
- Door type and preparation
- Number of doors
- Fitting and any door repair
- App and code setup
- Service plan
What to send us
- Photo of the door and frame
- Door thickness and material
- Number of doors
- How you want to open